Faults dutifully noted and easily forgiven, this game is truly epic storytelling. [Apr 2010, p.74]

If you love gaming - if you love leaving your identity at the door and embarking on red-blooded adventure that's previously only been the domain of high literature and childhood imagination, I can give no higher recommendation. Make no mistake, this is more than the best role-playing game of our times. It's the best one we've ever seen.

There have been lots of World War II RTS games, but this is the one that finally gives the subject matter its due - it's nothing short of brilliant. [Nov 2006, p.78]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Call of Duty 4 is just like every other Call of Duty game, but in a radically different setting, and with an ounce of clever-dust sprinkled on top.

The perfect integration of classes, the character and level design, the visuals, and the level of accessibility. [Dec 2007, p.64]

But by any standard, this far into the development of an MMO, and with two years since your last expansion, the envelope should be pushed a little. Blizzard could've shaken up the genre here. Wrath of the Lich King has had two years to innovate, build and refresh WOW, but all it seems to have done is prolong the same experience that people have been waiting to continue for years. Whether or not that's a bad thing is up to you.

Crysis thrives on putting the onus on you to create your own brand of action and adventure in its stunningly beautiful locations. You and the game can haphazardly create moments of such gaming brilliance that often you pretty much have to stand up and applaud. [Christmas 2007, p.44]

"Must-buy" doesn't seem strong enough. There should probaby be some kind of law forcing every player to have it. For their own good, of course. [Apr 2007, p.73]

If the combat has been a bit more sophisticated in the latter stages of the game, it'd have been a nailed-on Classic. [Dec 2009, p.62]

A brilliant combat game that can be dabbled with in short bursts or long bouts of human vs human combat, there's no denying that it is a must-play for PC fighting fans and those looking for a bit of short, sharp fun. If you've got a setup that allows you to play in your living room on the TV, add three extra points to the score.

For a pure-hearted escapist adventure, and what I consider the meatiest and most satisfying combat system around, you can't go wrong with Fallout 3. It's been a rocky road, but we got there in the end. [Dec 2008, p.50]

Dragon Age: Origins is a brave and brutal return to form for PC fantasy roleplaying - bettering nearest rival The Witcher through both its combat and the innate lovability of so many of its characters...With Dragon Age: Origins BioWare have secured their position as masters of the RPG art. [Christmas 2009, p.68]

Anyone not buying it right now is making an idiotic mistake. [Dec 2008, p.66]

It may be short, but it's a wonderful learning experience, forcing you to rethink rather base concepts of the first-person genre. [Dec 2007, p.68]

Episode Two contains some of the series' greatest moments, and it's still every bit as charming as its predecessors, but it's so similar to Half-Life 2 that despite what Valve might believe, we're really left wanting something a bit fresher. [Dec 2007, p.60]

Genuinely clever stuff. [July 2009, p.64]

As far as driving sims go, Simbin have yet again proved that the PC is <I>the</I> platform for real racers. If you're after realism, forget "Gran Turismo" and "Forza" - this is the sim that you want to take the wheel of. [Nov 2006, p.70]

The PC version brings enough additions and improvements to the fundamental GTA IV experience to make it an essential purchase for anyone who hasn't played it yet. [Feb 2009, p.74]

A triumph. [May 2009, p.58]

A monumental pillar in multiplayer gaming; playing it without yelping in delight is like eating a doughnut without licking your lips. [Jan 2009, p.54]

A triumph. [Jan 2010, p.58]

If you are a fan of what BioWare's done in the past, like action with a hefty dose of sci-fi and want something new, or just like playing a really good game, then you owe it to yourself to pick up this fantastic title.

It's a stunning achievement and one that puts it firmly at the head of RTS titles for the year...A tactical nuke of a game.

There isn't a more exciting and involving racer around. [Jan 2010, p.68]

Remains teh best 'arcade' football game around. [Christmas 2006, p.74]

While the slightly glitched real-time battles may not be all that much different from Rome's, and naval battles and new multiplayer options are still conspicuous by their absence, there's simply no way that any selfrespecting strategy fan can spend this Christmas doing anything other than rampaging across the world on a whirlwind of medieval conquest.

To my mind, this is a better, tighter and more emotionally engaging game. [Apr 2010, p.78]

Addictive. [July 2009, p.71]

For the first time in its history, the franchise finds itself second best to Championship Manager in a number of key departments - most noticeable, training, scouting and set pieces - and while its superiority remains intact, its dominance isn't as clear cut as in previous years.

Undeniably fun; a slick arcade racer from an impassioned and talented development studio. [May 2009, p.66]

Genuinely likable script. [May 2010, p.70]

Codemasters' racing studio know what they're doing and have again got the key elements right.

Light years ahead of the competition and to miss it would be unforgivable. And if another reviewer writes a better box-friendly quote than that, I'll piss in their face. [May 2008, p.80]

An absolute joy to play once more. [Oct 2010, p.80]

Without a shadow of a doubt, Half-Life 2: Episode One contains the best Freeman moments ever conceived, but by necessity it carries too much over from before to be as consistently entertaining as its forbear. [Aug 2006, p.67]

While it has its fair share of hiccups, the game's fundamental quality manages to shine through and ensure that there's plenty of entertaniment to be had. [Dec 2007, p.70]

I did briefly forego free food and beer and the attention of 20 teenage models dressed a refugees in an attempt to arrest the slide, putting together a four-match unbeaten run. [Christmas 2006, p.68]

The PC version of Gears of War is a welcome reminder of how much better PC gaming can be, and that it can do big, stupid action way better than the consoles that took stupid to the masses.

The maps are still a bit bland. But by god, holy war's never been so much fun. [Christmas 2006, p.80]

While Supreme Commander may be slightly flawed in places, it's still a wondrous rendition of futuristic combat, and one of the finest specimens of 21st century RTS gaming you can currently buy. [Apr 2007, p.62]

A PC port done right. [Christmas 2009, p.88]

Yet another love-letter from Firaxis to their fanbase, and as good a reason for living as chips. [Oct 2007, p.72]

These improvements over the previous game nailed it - I became absolutely besotted. I've lost so many hours to The Sims 3 the PC Zone team were convinced they'd have to surgically remove my mouse from my hand to get me to work. [July 2009, p.56]

It's a parody of Lucas and it's a parody of knobbly bits of plastic, sometimes both at the same time. It's just brilliant, and that's where its charm lies. [Nov 2006, p.62]

Something of a landmark title. [Jan 2010, p.52]

One of the best games ever. [Oct 2009, p.69]

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, this kind of last-generation gameplay would relieve the daily tedium. Now it's in danger of adding to it.

The uncanny knack of mirroring real life is testament to the massive infrastructure of international scouts that provides the player database, allied to the witchcraft that goes on under the bonnet. [Christmas 2007, p.85]

Best Tolkien game, beyond a shadow of a doubt. [July 2007, p.66]

The license is strong, the game is great, and the quality of the content is second- to-none. If servers are stable, players are listened to, and expansion content is as well tweaked, inventive and superbly written as its launch material, this could be the game that savages WOW's subscription numbers.

Dead Space is a potentially great game that's hamstrung by an attempt to completely ape a console controller with a mouse and keyboard. [Dec 2008, p.58]

For eight quid though, Bionic Commando Rearmed is a masterful remake, even if it's one you'll never muster the patience to finish. [Nov 2008, p.75]

The definitive "IL-2" collection. [Feb 2007, p.79]

Immense amounts to do. [May 2010, p.74]

It's overflowing with creative vision and imagination. [June 2007, p.66]

Occasionally weak puzzles and infrequent dud jokes aside, if you mark a game on how joyfully sad you feel at the end, season 2 of "Sam & Max" is second only to "Portal." [July 2008, p.86]

The real problem is that it simply isn't as good as it could have been. Erratic AI, overly impervious sidekicks, some suspect voice-acting, patchily impressive and hugely power-hungry visuals. It's a list that adds up to a missed opportunity if ever I've seen one, but while Vegas may not quite have hit the jackpot, it does still manage to walk away a winner.

Relic have made an admirable stab at redefining the single-player action-RTS experience, but they haven't managed to nail it just yet. [Apr 2009, p.56]

Like a once-great champ who's come out of retirement for one last crack at the title, C&C3: Tiberium Wars doesn't quite have enough tricks in its repertoire to defeat its younger, fresher opponents. But while it may be more contender than king these days, it still packs one hell of a punch. [May 2007, p.62]

This is the best of the best. [Jan 2010, p.75]

As the first paid-for expansion that Turbine have done for LOTRO, Mines of Moria shines. While it's hardly the most revolutionary product ever to be released, what it tries to do it does well.

Whilte it may not be totally perfect, the sheer depth and replayability of Kingdoms raises it high above any RTS expansion I've ever played. [Oct 2007, p.68]

Addictive and happy. [Aug 2007, p.76]

The science may be sub-"Torchwood," but puzzle logic is intact. [June 2008, p.79]

Deserves praise for artistic flair, but when it comes to gameplay approach with caution. [Jan 2010, p.81]

There's nothing like it around, and even with its flaws, it's a game you certainly grow to love. [Dec 2008, p.56]

A technological feat mingled with a fun, yet shallow game. [May 2008, p.76]

A splendid next step for Dawn of War II. [June 2010, p.83]

Quotation unavailable.

Because of the deep sense of planning, strategy, story and general slickness, it'll probably suck you in, anyway. [Apr 2006, p.78]

McRae's finest outing to date (minus, of course, Colin himself). The new types of racing offer far more variety of gameplay, the sound effects are impressive and there are eye-searingly gorgeous graphics and an excellent career mode to boot.

Ultimately, though, it's more of the same, albeit with a new storyline and exotic new setting. [July 2006, p.82]

So intelligently structured, with such a consistently beautiful style. [Nov 2008, p.54]

It's one of the most outrageous games I've ever played and for that alone I love it. [Oct 2009, p.67]

At the end of the day though, this game is just pure fun. [May 2010, p.64]

Warhead honestly is the finest burst of action gaming released so far this year, and if you're canny then you'll be able to pick it up for a mere £15 from online retailers. It's a five hour tour-de-force that's plugged the holes in Crysis with diamonds.

By taking all that's best from the real-time build-and-conquer template, mixing it with elements of Civilization and Total War, and wrapping it up in an impressive (though not quite eye-popping) engine, Big Huge Games have taken the genre in a bold and exciting new direction.

DEFCON is such a clever blend of inspired simplicity and deceptive profundity, presented in such a powerfully evocative way, that I want to get Introversion to decorate my house and invent the rest of my life for me. [Dec 2006, p.76]

The Battle For Middle-Earth II may look impressive, and its basic, by-the-numbers RTS approach is fun in a mindless sort of way. However, in no way is it anywhere near the game we hoped for. What a waste.

Absolutely gorgeous to look at. [Jan 2007, p.66]

A brilliant and immersive game...On the one hand you've got the sheer technical prowess and experience of id, and on the other you've got Splash Damage's intrinsic understanding of what makes a good online shooter. Together, you've got a game that could set a new benchmark for the genre. [Nov 2007, p.62]

Not so much an expansion - more six little intricate waterfalls of complexity that siphon hours of gameplay from the vast Civ reservoir. It's a success, but one that runs far deeper than some might like. [Oct 2006, p.62]

A deadly good time. [Apr 2010, p.88]

It's deep, if you like repetitively killing things. [Sept 2006, p.77]

One of the most impressive pieces of indie programming we've seen in recent months. [June 2007, p.88]

Its single-player campaign may be weak and forgettable, but its true genius lies in the untouchable quality of its firefights, its splendiferous visuals, diverse level design, massive attention to detail and downright awesome vehicles and weapons. [Jan 2008, p.60]

Epic story. [Mar 2010, p.80]

It's a good game, a solid remake, but having said that, 11 years on, it was never going to garner the awe-struck plaudits of a gobsmacked world. [July 2007, p.60]

A highly enjoyable racing game with a lot of polish and it's good to see the franchise try a little harder. [Dec 2009, p.66]

As attractive as it is bolstered with new content - everyone from hardcore trade-skillers to constant raiders to newbies are catered for. [Feb 2007, p.83]

One of the most impressive indie games to date. [Feb 2007, p.87]

Still funny. [Aug 2010, p.90]

It's so pregnant with ideas and beautiful movements that you'd be a sad fool to to deprive yourself of the experience. If the sequel is longer, a bit more difficult, and plays slightly more intelligently, then I can't imagine it being anything other than a Classic. [Aug 2006, p.58]

Even without the 3D engine, Football Manager 2009 is still fully deserving of its classic rating, providing a staggeringly comprehensive simulation of the complex world of management. We predict a few patches before the match engine is fully functioning, but even in its current state, it tangibly enhances the experience.

While World at War isn't original and has moments lacking in inspiration (the tank section, ugh) it has refined the linear World War II shooter template as much as perhaps it can be. [Jan 2009, p.60]

It ticks all the boxes that a loot lover could possibly want. [Jan 2010, p.80]

Unfortunately, things like the AI, graphics and crash damage, as well as the Porto track, still could do with some more tweaking. And in comparison to its big brother GTR 2, it's still most definitely a lap or two behind.